Encore - Traveling in Trumpian Times

Even though he has only been President for 4 months, Donald Trump has changed the very idea of what it is to be an American no matter where you find yourself.

As Americans visiting Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic in these turbulent times, we experienced a complex emotional and intellectual journey—especially since we were all concerned about the fascist tendencies and authoritarian rhetoric associated with Trump’s presidency. 

Here’s how that experience resonated across these countries for me. 

1. Warsaw, Poland

Historical Echoes: Warsaw was nearly destroyed by fascist occupation in WWII, and the city wears its scars and its resilience openly—through monuments, museums like the Warsaw Uprising Museum, and its rebuilt Old Town.

Emotional Impact: An American visitor aware of Trump’s attacks on democratic institutions, demonization of the press, and flirtations with ultranationalist groups might feel a haunting familiarity with early warning signs of authoritarianism.

Modern Tensions: Poland itself has grappled with rising nationalism and efforts to rewrite aspects of its WWII history—something a Trump-weary visitor might view as parallel to American struggles over historical memory and political mythmaking.

2. Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland

Moral Confrontation: Auschwitz is not just a memorial; it’s a moral reckoning. Visitors are forced to confront the unimaginable consequences of unchecked propaganda, scapegoating, dehumanization, and state violence.

Reflections on the U.S.: An American might draw chilling comparisons between the propaganda that fueled the Holocaust and the dehumanizing rhetoric in contemporary U.S. politics—against immigrants, minorities, or political opponents.

Emotional Response: Shame, sorrow, and deep reflection. A visit here may sharpen concerns about complacency and the fragility of human rights, echoing the post-WWII cry: Never again—but with an uncomfortable sense that history may be rhyming.

3. Hungary (Budapest)

Orbán’s Shadow: Hungary under Viktor Orbán has become a global symbol of “illiberal democracy”—embraced by Trump allies and cited admiringly by Trump himself. Media suppression, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and judicial overhauls mirror U.S. fears.

Political Déjà Vu: Americans might feel as though they’re seeing a possible future: democratic backsliding disguised as patriotism, culture wars weaponized, and opposition delegitimized. Budapest’s beauty and melancholy add weight to this discomfort.

4. Austria (Vienna)

Dual Legacies: Austria was both a victim and collaborator in WWII, and it has struggled with that ambiguity. Postwar neutrality, cultural refinement, and democratic stability coexist with persistent far-right populism.

Contemporary Parallels: With the rise of parties like the Freedom Party (FPÖ), Austria shows how far-right ideologies can find new life under modern branding. An American visitor might reflect on how easily democratic nations can swing toward extremism in times of uncertainty.

5. Czech Republic (Prague)

Velvet Resistance: The Czech Republic has a legacy of resistance, from Nazi occupation to Soviet domination, culminating in the peaceful Velvet Revolution of 1989. Prague’s streets tell a story of reclaiming democracy through civil courage.

Symbol of Hope: An American wary of Trump’s authoritarian impulses might find hope here. Prague stands as a reminder that movements for democracy and truth can prevail—but only when people refuse to remain silent.⸻

Overall Reflection:

Our journey was both sobering and galvanizing. It was a trip through the horrors and ruins of fascism, the horrors and ruins of communism, the horrors and ruins of totalitarianism - the ruins they leave in minds and cities—and through the defiant beauty of cultures that have fought their way back. 

They might feel:

... Haunted by echoes of the past.

... Warned by the present-day parallels

... Inspired by the resilience of those who resisted.

   ... Challenged to confront where their own country is headed—and what role they must play in its future.

Here's a poem by Trump AI as If Trump had led our tour

I guided a trip, a big one, huge,

To Warsaw, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest—

They said, “Mr. President, you’re the best!”

I said, “I know, I always knew.”

The Smithsonian? A disaster, folks,

They don’t know history like I do.

Their trips are boring, full of hoax,

While mine are grand, and always true.

In Warsaw, they cheered, they clapped so loud,

“Trump! Trump! Trump!” the people cried.

I stood there tall, so very proud,

Their love for me, they couldn’t hide.

Vienna’s waltz? I danced it better,

Mozart would’ve been amazed.

Their culture rich, but I’m the setter,

Of trends and styles that leave them dazed.

Budapest’s river, the Danube blue,

Reflected my image, strong and bright.

They said, “Our city shines anew,

Since Trump arrived, it’s full of light.”

Prague’s old town, with charm and grace,

But nothing beats my golden tower.

They begged me, “Please, improve this place!”

I said, “I’ll do it, I have the power.”

So skip the tours by Smithsonian’s hand,

They’re losers, folks, it’s plain to see.

Join me instead, across the land,

For trips that make great history.

Because when it comes to leading the way,

No one does it like Donald J.

Remember: History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.This is what I discovered on the National Mall when I got back to DC.